When is it time to swap out old pipes?

Peace of mind is worth a few beeps and some battery changes.

Couldn’t agree more. After a pinhole leak under my kitchen sink last year, I’m all about early warnings—even if it means a few false alarms. Those detectors have saved me from a couple close calls already. It’s not overkill if you’ve seen what water can do to hardwood floors...

I hear you on the hardwood floors—water damage is no joke. I’ve had tenants call me in a panic more than once, and it’s always the smallest leaks that seem to cause the biggest headaches. One time, a slow drip behind a bathroom vanity went unnoticed for weeks. By the time anyone realized, the subfloor was soft and the drywall was stained halfway up. That one cost me more than I care to admit.

I used to think I was being overly cautious with all the leak detectors and moisture alarms, but honestly, after a few close calls, I’d rather get woken up by a false alarm than deal with mold or warped floors. Like you said,

“It’s not overkill if you’ve seen what water can do to hardwood floors...”

As for knowing when to swap out old pipes, I’ve learned to trust my gut but also pay attention to what the house is telling me. If I see corrosion, greenish stains, or even just that telltale musty smell under sinks or near the water heater, I start budgeting for a replacement. Sometimes it feels like overkill, but in my experience, waiting for a “real” problem just means a bigger repair bill down the line.

I get that some folks are hesitant to rip out pipes that are “still working,” but after dealing with insurance claims and upset tenants, I’d rather be proactive. Peace of mind isn’t just about avoiding disaster—it’s about not having that nagging worry in the back of your head every time you hear water running.

Anyway, I’m with you on the early warnings. A little annoyance now beats a major headache later.

That one cost me more than I care to admit.

That “musty smell under sinks” you mentioned is always a red flag for me too. I’ve learned the hard way that ignoring those little signs just isn’t worth it. Still, I sometimes wonder if there’s a sweet spot between being proactive and just tearing out pipes before their time. Have you ever tried using a scope camera to check inside the lines before deciding? I’ve found it helps, but sometimes it feels like overkill. Curious if anyone else has had luck with that approach or if it’s just another gadget collecting dust.

That musty smell is like nature’s little warning sign, isn’t it? I’m with you—ignoring it always seems to come back to bite you, usually at the worst possible time. I’ve actually borrowed a scope camera from a neighbor before, and honestly, it was kind of eye-opening. Found a slow leak that hadn’t even made it to the surface yet. But I get what you mean about it feeling like overkill. Sometimes I wonder if we’re just inventing new ways to stress ourselves out about stuff that used to be “out of sight, out of mind.”

That said, I’d rather catch something early than rip out a whole section of pipe just because it’s old. The waste alone bugs me, not to mention the cost. I guess for me, it’s about balance—use the tech when there’s a real reason, but don’t let it turn into another excuse to replace things before they’re actually done for. Pipes aren’t exactly biodegradable, after all...

I totally get what you mean about not wanting to rip out pipes just because they’re old. When we moved in, I was convinced every weird noise or smell meant disaster waiting to happen. Ended up calling a plumber for a “just in case” check, and he basically laughed and said half the stuff people replace is still fine for years. Now I just keep an eye out for leaks or water pressure changes and try not to overthink it. Sometimes I think the internet makes us all a little too paranoid about this stuff...